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House of artefacts
The entrance to architect Mahesh's home looks (suspiciously) innocent of décor. "I have deliberately underplayed it," lets in Mahesh. "I don't believe in having a formal entrance that boasts of an expensive interior."
Step inside and you'd think someone's let the genie out of the bottle -- it is a treasure house of artefacts.
Over 70 south Indian lamps surround the courtyard, each one different from the other. A lamp featuring the `Dasavatara', a rare wooden lamp, and five different types of the massive Payyannur lamp are the ones that stand out. A carved wooden gable and columns from an old house decorate a recess in the wall. The engraved wooden door, salvaged from a house in Karaikudi, befits the Siva temple. The courtyard is probably the most decorated area of the house. "The courtyard is at the centre and we live around it," says Mahesh.
About 50 years back, the idea of the nadumuttam slowly faded away, but in the past few years it has been reintroduced because it not only adds to the décor of the house but also serves the purpose of keeping the house cool," explains Mahesh.
As if to confirm his explanation, a cool breeze blows in. "Taking full advantage of the altitude, I have oriented the house towards the lawn and the mountains. The entire house, except for the guest bedroom, offers a beautiful view," says Mahesh.
The ting-a-ling of bells draws you back to the house. His collection of 56 bells comprises glass bells, Indian brass bells and a Swiss cowbell. "Except for an Aaranmula mural painting, you'll find only reproductions of Ravi Varma paintings in the living room and the courtyard," he points out. The house is a gallery of Lord Ganesha idols, each in a different posture.
They are all around the house and Mahesh has lost count of them.
Exquisitely designed brass nutcrackers have been laid out on a table in the family room.
Giving company to these nutcrackers are brass betel leaf boxes (one even in the shape of a beetle), lime containers, utensils and lamps of yore. Some are even found in the modern pantry.
"I have thrown in very little colour to the house and have let the artefacts play the colours," remarks Mahesh. But a pantry was never part of the Indian kitchen. So, do the modern elements in the house blend well with his concept of traditionalism? "Well, you have to adopt ideas that suit you the best. I have stayed away from the glitzy elements of a modern house. You should know to draw a slender line between modernity and ethnicity, which is what I have done," replies Mahesh.
SHABINA KHAN
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